Bedrock geologic maps of northern, central and southern New Jersey are
now available in compact Disk (CD) format. The CD, "Bedrock Geology
and Topographic Base Maps of New Jersey," provides digital versions
of the maps, using the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP)
Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn said, "The geology of the state is crucial
because it serves as the basis for other environmental maps, including
characterization of watersheds, ground water recharge, aquifers, and radon
and sinkhole potential as well as ecological habitat. The maps are also
essential for the evaluation of water supplies and the clean up of contaminated
ground water."

The CD is a new way of making current geologic data available to anyone
who has a working knowledge of the computerized mapping GIS technology,
computer-aided design or graphic software. It is expected to benefit DEP
constituencies such as; county planners, environmental commissions, consultants,
interest groups, and site evaluation, development and remediation contractors.

The cross sections and accompanying text from the full-color printed
maps are included on the CD. They show the geologic formations in the
deep subsurface across the entire state. Also included are digital versions
of all New Jersey's 172 topographic quadrangles at 1:24,000-scale, and
14 regional maps at 1:100,000-scale.

The maps from which the new CD was produced resulted from a partnership
between the state and the federal government. "Geologists from the New
Jersey Geological Survey (NJGS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
formed a cooperative agreement to map New Jersey's geology in detail.
Now we are making this exceptional data available digitally," said State
Geologist Karl Muessig.

Governor Whitman and the National Governors Association previously issued
a policy statement supporting federal legislation to build the nation's
geologic map database through this partnership between state geological
surveys and the federal government. New Jersey continues to benefit tremendously
from this partnership.

The new CD sells for $30. The printed version of the northern bedrock
map is available for $15 and the central and southern bedrock maps are
sold together for $25 by sending a check or money order, payable to "Treasurer,
State of New Jersey" to: DEP Maps and Publications Sales Office, PO Box
438, Trenton, NJ 08625. No telephone orders are accepted, but a FAX order
form may be obtained by calling 609-777-1038 or downloaded from the NJGS
web site: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/pricelst/index.htm.